The newest 2023 edition is out! This is the only book available that is made for those aspiring to enter the field of physical therapy or occupational therapy. It provides all the steps needed to help you be the most competitive in the competitive fields of physical and occupational therapy. It has been recently updated (ed. 3) on many levels including information about the application process, physical therapy assistants, and occupational therapy assistants. Please note: The information is a compilation of common knowledge and also information no one knows about or actually does. The author is a long-time interviewer and advisor to hundreds of students aspiring to enter the therapy field. The advice must be applied, even if you think you have heard some of it before. Much of the information is new and different, but again must be applied, not just read. This book gives a blueprint to be a successful applicant. The information is invaluable to someone who wants to stand out in a field where the interviews are only once or twice a year. This book gives makes you as competitive as you can to get that interview and then succeed in the interview. This book shows you the steps and unknown tips needed to put you in the best position to ultimately get into the very competitive U.S. physical therapy and occupational therapy schools. It starts with basic information and also covers details that few know or apply. The author has been asked by innumerable potential applicants regarding the steps to gain acceptance into P.T. school and finally decided to write a book about it. He has over 28 years of experience and has participated as a P.T. applicant interviewer for most of those years. He has interviewed the Chairs of P.T. and O.T. departments for their insight on the subject and outlined what steps are needed get into P.T. or O.T. school. He has studied the traits of those who are successful and those who do not make the cut. This book is for those of you who would like to learn the steps needed to be a competitive applicant in an ultra-competitive field. Chapters include: Personality Traits, Preparation, Schools, PTA/COTA process, Academics, Volunteering/Employment, Civic duties, Recommendation letters, The interview and Summary. Key words: Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical therapy assistant, Occupational therapy assistant, PT, OT, PTA, COTA, Physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy school, occupational therapy school. PT school requirements, physical therapy school requirements, OT school requirements, occupational school requirements.
About the Author: Kirk Painter is a licensed physical therapist who has practiced since 1995, after graduating in 1994 from Texas State University in San Marcos. He is co-owner and director of PTRC Physical Therapy in San Marcos, TX. He is a graduate of The University of Texas Health Science Center for his doctoral PT degree. He has served, and continues to serve, as adjunct faculty at Texas State University and co-interviewed hundreds of applicants at the required Texas State on-sight interview. The inspiration for this book came about from answering daily questions regarding admittance tips and insight on how to get into P.T. school. Background: As mentioned earlier, he has interviewed hundreds of P.T. applicants as they tried for admission. He has mentored hundreds of P.T. students on their rotations, as well as undergraduate interns and volunteers, in his clinic. Seeing who is successful and who is not, has been very enlightening, causing him to study this subject further and subsequently write this book. He has channeled this insight, along with P.T. and O.T. faculty interviews, to help aspiring therapists succeed.